CAPE TOWN, August 11, 2008 (AFP) - South Africa have suffered a major injury setback on the eve of their Tri-Nations Test with New Zealand here on Saturday.

World Cup stalwarts, lock Bakkies Botha and centre Jaque Fourie, were on Monday ruled out of the competition after picking up serious injuries in the Springboks' one-off Test against Argentina in Johannesburg last weekend.

South Africa won the match against the South Americans 63-9. Botha is nursing a knee injury and is likely to miss the rest of the season. He will, however, not have to undergo an operation.

The news for Fourie is just slightly better. He suffered a fracture to the right cheekbone and will have to undergo surgery this week. The Bok midfielder will, however, only be out of action for six weeks, meaning he may be available for the end-of-year tour to the Northern Hemisphere.

It was Fourie's first appearance in the Bok jersey this year after recovering from a groin strain that kept him on the sidelines since the latter stages of the Super 14 competition.

Botha's place in the squad has been taken by Blue Bulls teammate Danie Rossouw - a World Cup winner from last year, while utility back Frans Steyn comes into the group in place of Fourie.

The good news for the Boks though is that flanker Schalk Burger and wing Bryan Habana, both of whom missed last weekend's clash with Argentina as a precaution after suffering injuries in the Boks' match against Australia in Perth over three weeks ago, will be fit to take on the All Blacks.

Following the match against New Zealand this weekend, South Africa will face Australia in Durban (August 23) and then in Johannesburg (August 30).